The legendary band’s 1972 amphitheater performance becomes their seventh chart-topper, outperforming “Dark Side” with new Steven Wilson remix
In a striking testament to their enduring cultural significance, Pink Floyd has captured the top spot on the UK album charts with a recording that’s over half a century old. The newly released “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII” marks the band’s seventh UK number one album, documenting one of rock history’s most hauntingly beautiful performances amid the ruins of an ancient Roman civilization.
The achievement adds another chapter to the British prog-rock pioneers’ storied legacy, joining previous chart-toppers “Atom Heart Mother” (1970), “Wish You Were Here” (1975), “The Final Cut” (1983), “The Division Bell” (1994), “Pulse” (1995), and “The Endless River” (2014). What makes this particular triumph fascinating is that it stems from footage originally captured in October 1971, when David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright performed without an audience in the ancient amphitheater—the first concert ever staged at the historic site.
A volcanic resurrection
This isn’t merely a repackaged archive release. The film—which combined live performances with studio footage showing the band working on what would become “The Dark Side of the Moon”—has undergone a meticulous frame-by-frame restoration from original 35mm negatives discovered in Pink Floyd’s archives. The project’s sonic landscape has been dramatically reimagined by progressive rock luminary Steven Wilson, whose masterful remixing has breathed new life into performances of seminal tracks like “Echoes,” “One of These Days,” and “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun.”
“Pink Floyd is really my favorite band,” Wilson revealed in a recent interview. “That was exciting because Floyd is really my favorite band. That particular film is the pinnacle of Floyd during that era, because the film points out straight after that how they moved into a very different phase of their career.”
The restoration has clearly resonated with audiences, not just in the UK where it topped both the main album chart and the vinyl chart simultaneously, but globally as well. The album has already reached number one in Germany, Italy, and Belgium, with strong showings across Europe, Japan, and New Zealand.
The vinyl paradox
Perhaps most remarkably, this marks the first time the full Pompeii performance has been presented as a standalone album on vinyl, despite being one of rock’s most visually iconic concert films. The new release includes previously unreleased material, including an extended version of “A Saucerful of Secrets” and an alternate take of “Careful With That Axe, Eugene.”
The irony doesn’t escape longtime Floyd aficionados: “The Dark Side of the Moon”—arguably the band’s most celebrated work with 16 platinum certifications and an astonishing 578 weeks on the charts—never actually reached UK number one. Upon its 1973 release, it was blocked by the now-forgotten compilation “20 Flash Back Greats of the Sixties.” Other Floyd masterpieces like “Meddle,” “Animals,” and “The Wall” similarly topped out in the top three without claiming the summit.
Echoes across time
The album’s success comes on the heels of a theatrical re-release, where the newly restored 4K version played in select cinemas worldwide, including IMAX formats. The project took three years to complete, with Wilson crafting a mix worthy of the stunning visual restoration by Lana Topham.
In a curious chart synchronicity, Pink Floyd isn’t the only British band finding success with performances amid classical ruins. Brit-pop veterans James debuted at number 27 with “James (Live at the Acropolis),” recorded at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus beneath Athens’ Acropolis.
The broader UK charts present an interesting landscape around Floyd’s triumph. Erasure’s Andy Bell secured his first solo top-five entry with “Ten Crowns” at number four, while Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” demonstrated remarkable staying power, climbing back to number two after 37 consecutive weeks in the Top 5.
On the singles chart, Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” continues its extraordinary run, holding the number one position for an eighth consecutive week. Meanwhile, American R&B singer Ravyn Lenae has climbed to number two with “Love Me Not”—a remarkable feat considering the track debuted at number 89 in February and has steadily risen each week since.
For Pink Floyd, this latest chart conquest affirms their position as one of rock’s most venerated institutions. The Pompeii performance—captured in that liminal moment before they transformed from experimental psychedelic explorers into stadium-filling rock legends—continues to captivate new generations. As the restored film and album demonstrate, sometimes the most powerful echoes are those that reverberate across decades, linking the ruins of ancient amphitheaters to the digital streaming platforms of today.
